The Wolverine

June-July 2017

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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52 THE WOLVERINE JUNE/JULY 2017 2017 BASKETBALL RECRUITING ISSUE "This is basically the best simula- tion for the college game you can get, in terms of competition and pace of play. I've been pleased with how things are going so far." Michigan was one of the schools to identify him early in the process. "The staff at Michigan, they're great guys and have been following me for a long time," he said. "I like that pro- gram a lot. I speak to those guys still … they've still been recruiting me. "All it is right now is play basket- ball, think about whenever I'm ready to make a decision and then make a decision. Other than that, I don't worry about it too much and just con- tinue to play like I'm playing. "I've been fortunate to have the ability to make some visits, hopefully seeing what's out there and getting a feel for schools that have been recruit- ing me. I don't really have a dead- line. Whenever I'm ready, I'll know it. There will be no need to wait. Until that point comes, I'll continue to play basketball and try to get some wins." Michigan 2018 pledge David DeJulius, the No. 129 player na- tionally in his class, is making a case to move up in the rankings. The Detroit native shot the ball extremely well for The Family at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League event in Hampton, Va., in mid-April, had another nice showing in Indianapolis at the end of April and is excited to bring his game to Michigan — although it won't be for another year and a half. "I personally feel I played okay, but we've got to pull off some wins," he said after the Family went 0-4 in Hampton. "Hopefully we can come together and get some wins this spring and sum- mer. "It feels good just to know you're committed and can go just try to win, and not worry about who's here, who's this, who's that … just go out and win for your team and what it says on the front of your jersey." The Family went 2-2 in the late April EYBL session in Indianapo- lis. DeJulius registered 14 points and seven assists, 11 and two, 15 and four, and 11 and nine in the four games. Scout Norm Eavenson, a longtime respected basketball mind on the East Coast, called DeJulius one of his favorites at the first of the four EYBL weekends. The future Wolverine averaged 17.8 points, 5.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 2.5 turnovers and 1.3 steals in the four games while shooting 52.7 percent from the field and 45.8 percent from long range against elite competition. Other scouts were just as impressed at the way DeJulius had elevated his game since last year. "David DeJulius had a very effective and, better yet, ef- ficient weekend overall in Hampton," Rivals.com's Corey Evans said. "He has really done a good job of getting into the weight room this winter. He has put on an ample amount of muscle and strength, which he used nicely in absorbing contact around the basket and within the taller trees near the basket. "He isn't the biggest guy around so he can only guard one position on the floor, but he does do a fine job of sit- ting down and defending the basketball without giving the foul. DeJulius has also become a better shooter … He made 11 threes throughout the course of the weekend. He has good vision as a set-up artist against a set defense." Michigan head man John Beilein didn't hesitate to offer in December after seeing De- Julius put up 39 points in front of him, including nine triples, for Detroit East English Village. DeJulius helped lead his East English team to a very good 2016-17 season, averag- ing 27 points per game, but he still has another level he's trying to reach. East English was bounced early in the state tournament, failing to get out of the district in losing to a tal- ented Detroit Cass Tech team. "It went okay, but not liked I hoped it would be as far as the winning aspect," he said. " There's more basketball to play, and I can learn from that. "I'm working on my IQ and athleticism. I'll work on everything, but those are my main weaknesses." Asked how to define his game, he didn't hesitate. "I'm tough," he said. "I just want to win, and I'll do whatever it takes to win." DeJulius continues to pick up buzz on the AAU circuit, and several coaches were watching him and his teammates dur- ing the live period. But DeJulius is all maize and blue, and he's made that clear to everyone who inquires. "I'm 100 percent committed to Michigan. I'm not worried about that," he said. "I've loved Michigan since I was 6 years old. It must have been the colors or something. Then when Trey Burke got there, I really feel in love with it." Now that he's in the fold, DeJulius plans to make Beilein happy he's got him. "He just says keep working and don't get satisfied," DeJulius said. "Just stay at it." — Chris Balas Pledge David DeJulius Is Solid With The Wolverines Three-star point guard David DeJulius of Detroit East English Village committed to Michigan Dec. 22, 2016. PHOTO BY JORDAN WELLS

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